High-power 980-nm AlGaAs/InGaAs strained quantum-well laser grown by OMVPE

High-power lattice-strained AlGaAs/InGaAs graded index separate-confinement heterostructure (GRINSCH) quantum-well lasers emitting at a 980-nm wavelength have been grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) and fabricated with a self-aligned ridge-waveguide structure. Using a 3- mu m-wide and 750- mu m-long AR-HR coated laser, 30 mV of optical power was coupled into optical fibers with 28.6% efficiency. A dominating single-lobe far-field radiation pattern was obtained from a wedge-shaped ridge-waveguide laser for output power as high as 240 mW with a maximum output power of 310 mW.<>     

The synthesis and characterization of novel 2-nitrobenzyl sulfonate photo-generators of acid

Methodology was developed for the synthesis of novel 2-substituted o-nitrobenzyl chromophores, which were derivatized as the tosylate esters. The thermal stabilities of these new tosylates fell within the range predicted from an empirical model. Lithographic sensitivities of deep UV resists made from these new esters and poly(4-(tert-butoxycarbonyloxy)styrene-sulfone) ranged from 45 to 90 mJ/cm².     

Substrate transport and cocaine binding of human dopamine transporter is reduced by substitution of carboxyl tail with that of bovine dopamine transporter

A chimeric dopamine transporter (DAT) cDNA encoding mutant human DAT (hDAT) protein in which the intracellular carboxyl-terminal tail is replaced by that of the bovine dopamine transporter (bDAT) was constructed. The chimeric hDAT cDNA was expressed in COS-7 cells, and [3H]dopamine and [3H]MPP+ uptake and [3H]CFT binding capacities were assessed. Substrate transport and ligand binding of bDAT were reduced by 32-43% as a result of substitution of the carboxyl tail in hDAT, suggesting that the functional characteristics of bDAT arise from differences in the carboxyl tail between human and bovine DAT. Thus, it appears that the sequences encoded within the carboxyl terminal of DAT would be one of the important determinants for its functions.     

Regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase by dopaminergic drugs

We provide evidence that dopamine receptors differentially modulate tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase in the mouse striatum. The dopamine D1 receptor family (D1-like) antagonist, R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1 H-3-benazepine (SCH 23390), elevated aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity and protein content in striatum, as well as the mRNA for the enzyme in midbrain. The dopamine D1-like receptor agonist, (+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(1 H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol (SKF 38393), had no effect on aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. The dopamine D1-like drugs had no effect on tyrosine hydroxylase. In contrast, the dopamine D2 receptor family (D2-like) antagonists haloperidol and spiperone elevated both tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activities. The increase in aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity was accompanied by elevated enzyme protein content but not mRNA. The dopamine D2-like receptor agonists, bromocriptine, quinpirole and (+/-)-7-hydroxydipropylaminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT), all decreased striatal tyrosine hydroxylase. Under the conditions used, bromocriptine and 7-OH-DPAT, but not quinpirole, decreased aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity of striatum. Both the dopamine D1- and D2-like receptor antagonists enhanced the turnover of striatal dopamine to differing degrees, as judged by the ratio of acid metabolites of dopamine to dopamine. Taken together our results indicate that aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase can be modulated independently of tyrosine hydroxylase.     

An efficient assumed strain element model with six DOF per node for geometrically non-linear shells

The present paper describes an assumed strain finite element model with six degrees of freedom per node designed for geometrically non-linear shell analysis. An important feature of the present paper is the discussion on the spurious kinematic modes and the assumed strain field in the geometrically non-linear setting. The kinematics of deformation is described by using vector components in contrast to the conventional formulation which requires the use of trigonometric functions of rotational angles. Accordingly, converged solutions can be obtained for load or displacement increments that are much larger than possible with the conventional formulation with rotational angles. In addition, a detailed study of the spurious kinematic modes and the choice of assumed strain field reveals that the same assumed strain field can be used for both geometrically linear and non-linear cases to alleviate element locking while maintaining kinematic stability. It is strongly recommended that the element models, described in the present paper, be used instead of the conventional shell element models that employ rotational angles.     

Proton and hydrogen formation by cyclohexyl benzene during overcharge of Li-ion batteries

This study provides experimental evidence for proton and hydrogen formation caused by the anodic electropolymerization of cyclohexyl benzene (CHB), which is a popular electrolyte additive for overcharge protection of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). It is found that considerable H₂ evolution is observed in overcharged LiCoO₂/graphite cells, especially when CHB is included as an electrolyte additive. In order to confirm the proton generation during the CHB oxidation, Pt/Pt-rotating ring disc electrode (RRDE) measurements are performed in 1 M Li(C₂F₅SO₂)₂N ethylene carbonate/ethyl methyl carbonate (1/2, v/v) solutions with and without CHB. The cathodic ring current is intimately correlated to the anodic disc current, and the cathodic reaction at the ring is determined to be the reduction of the proton. The proton generation efficiency during the CHB oxidation is as high as 90%. Proton liberation is also observed during the anodic decomposition of the electrolyte solvents, although it occurs in a much less stoichiometric way compared with that during the CHB oxidation.     

Tunable monolithic colliding pulse mode-locked quantum-well lasers

The tunabilities of both the wavelength and the pulse-width of monolithic mode-locked semiconductor lasers are demonstrated. Pulses shorter than 1.6 ps, tunable over 8.8 mu m, have been generated by a temperature-tuned monolithic colliding pulse mode-locked (CPM) quantum-well laser. For a fixed wavelength, the pulse-width is independently controlled from 1.2 ps to longer than 3 ps by external bandpass filters. Near transform-limited time-bandwidth products of 0.34 were maintained throughout the tuning processes.<>     

Scaffolded writing and rewriting in the discipline: A web-based reciprocal peer review system

This paper describes how SWoRD (scaffolded writing and rewriting in the discipline), a web-based reciprocal peer review system, supports writing practice, particularly for large content courses in which writing is considered critical but not feasibly included. To help students gain content knowledge as well as writing and reviewing skills, SWoRD supports the whole cycle of writing, reviews, back-reviews, and rewriting by scaffolding the journal publication process as its authentic practice model. In addition, SWoRD includes algorithms that compute individual reviewer’s review accuracy, which is in turn used to support the various drawbacks of reciprocal peer reviews (e.g., variation in motivation or ability of reviewers). Finally, this paper describes an empirical evaluation showing that the SWoRD approach is effective in improving writing quality in content classes.     

Modeling low-frequency electrode-type resistivity tools in invadedthin beds

The authors formulate and implement a numerical mode-matching (NMM) method to model electrode-type resistivity tools in invaded thin beds. The authors derive the low-frequency approximation of the Maxwell's equations to obtain the partial differential equation for the potential field. The new NMM program is validated by comparing the numerical results with those obtained from other dc programs. It is found that this new program is much faster than the program using the finite-element method (FEM), and hence is useful for routine interpretation of resistivity logs and for inversion     

Tests of assumptions about the joint receipt of gambles in rank- and sign-dependent utility theory.

A rank- and sign-dependent utility theory is based on an operation of joint receipt of 2 independent gambles and 3 assumptions regarding the operation (R. D. Luce, 1992). The authors tested these 3 assumptions (i.e., segregation, duplex decomposition, and the additivity of certainty equivalents over joint receipt) using both judged and choice certainty equivalents (CEs). Median choice CEs provided support for both segregation and duplex decomposition but little support for additivity in gains or in losses, whereas median judged CEs also failed to support segregation. The latter failure appears to result from some Ss misunderstanding the instructions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)